Access award winners announced in Windsor

2015 event to be held in Washington D.C.

More than 470 people from 28 countries attended the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) on 3 April 2014 in Windsor, UK, which saw 14 winners recognised for best practice, excellence and innovation in the industry.

The IAPA awards are jointly organised by Access International and the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).

The IAPAs took place on the same day as the IPAF Summit, where the audience of more than 200 was kept engaged through the panel of top-class speakers who delivered excellent presentations and scope for discussion.

During his closing speech, Tim Whiteman, IPAF CEO, revealed that the next IPAF Summit and IAPAs will be held on 26 March 2015 in Washington, DC, USA.

The 2014 IAPA winners are:

IPAF Training Instructor of the Year

Tony Radke, NES Rentals, USA

The judges said: “Tony Radke is an outstanding champion of IPAF, with great achievements in the US market.”

IPAF Training Instructor of the Year – Special Recognition

Josef Hollstegge, Ruthmann, Germany

The judges said: “With 40 years of travelling the world, Mr Hollstegge has transitioned easily to IPAF training and works with a technically difficult product, sometimes without the use of computers.”

IPAF Training Centre of the Year

Mills Rental, Brazil

The judges said: “We are impressed by the rate of growth and how Mills has taken the IPAF philosophy and driven it through the business.”

Access Photograph of the Year

Tadeusz Koniecko, technical engineer, Riwal, Poland

The judges said: “Mr Koniecko has captured the exhilarating atmosphere at the Palace of Culture and Science during the Grand Finale, a day-long fundraising event in Poland for national children’s charity, the GOCC.”

Product of the Year – Low Level Access

Power Towers, UK, for the Peco

The judges said: “This is really new, reliable and eco-friendly; a standout piece of equipment.”

Product of the Year -- Mast Climbing Work Platforms/Hoists

Scanclimber, Finland, for the Double Decker

The judges said: “A unique time saving product. The Double Decker platform is very flexible, meaning it has a wide operation range.”

Product of the Year – Vehicle/Trailer Mounted

Ruthmann, Germany, for the Steiger T720 truck mount

The judges said: “Outstanding features, including up-and-over reach. It can be fitted on a 4-axle chassis which reduces cost.”

Product of the Year -- Self-Propelled (Booms, Scissors, Atrium lifts)

Genie, USA, for the SX-180 telescopic boom lift

The judges said: “The biggest self-propelled boom in the world (at the time of the judges’ meeting) has taken the product sector a step further into the area of truck mounts.”

Outstanding Customer Service

Access Plus, UK

The judges said: “A bright, energetic company doing things differently. Excellent customer focus through setting benchmarks and then building the whole company around that.”

Contribution to Safe Working at Height

Peter Douglas, Nationwide Platforms, UK

The judges said: “Mr Douglas has shown an outstanding personal commitment to safe working at height on behalf of his company, including the promotion of IPAF’s accident reporting project.”

Powered Access Pioneer

Galmon, Singapore

The judges said: “A unique example of developing and educating a market and focusing on safety. The company has also been instrumental in getting access equipment into other parts of South East Asia.”

Innovative Use of Access Equipment

Fraco Products, Canada

The judges said: “Building a new safe confinement over a damaged nuclear reactor at Chernobyl, Ukraine, Fraco created a solution to take loads of 5.5 tonnes up to 30 m without anchor or fixings to the structure. This was a very difficult job in an extremely dangerous environment.”

Access Rental Company of the Year

AFI-Uplift, UK

IPAF and Access International Lifetime Achievement Award

Mike Evans, UK

The judges said: “Apart from forging an impressive career in access, Mike Evans has made a significant difference to this industry and gained the trust of those who have worked with him.”

There was an outstanding response to the IAPAs 2014, with more than 100 entries across 13 award categories, including a great number of very strong entries among these. The judges thank all who took part and encourage them to enter again for the awards in 2015.

The independent and impartial judging panel included: Andries Schouten, managing director of HDW Nederland and Gunco; Craig Paylor, former president of JLG and current president/owner of US-based National Truck Body (NTB) Solutions; George Landsberg, managing director and owner of South African access equipment distribution company Goscor Hi-Reach; Gerhard Hillebrand, IPAF’s representative in Italy since 2004, now retired; and Steve Couling, managing director of TIME-Versalift, UK & Ireland and IPAF president.

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.